The Open Close: ISSUE 7

ISSUE 7

EDITOR’S NOTE Hi, Hello, whatever. I’m here, I haven’t been abducted or I haven’t OD’d on anything just as yet. This issue came out quiiiiite late, I know. However, there’s a great reason for it. I know I have an excuse for everything I do wrong but this one’s genuine, really!

On the 22nd of February, I held an event called Lazy Strides at Misbehaving Beautifully, Ahmedabad. It was a beautiful evening, to the say the least. I must admit, I didn’t manage my time very well all day, but it’s not like I ever do. It still blows my mind that people took the time to come to an event I put up myself. I, personally, had a fantastic time and I really hope to put up more events like this in the future.

Also, an infinite number of thanks to the lovely folks at Misbehaving Beautifully. Srilakshmi and Rajkumar, I can’t thank you enough for helping me make this happen.

Now that my handsome (and very genuine) testimonial is done with, let’s go back to our little journal entry that I like to call the ‘Editor’s Note’.

This issue specifically has a lot of photography. Most of it is in black and white. I don’t know, I think there’s a sense of unbeatable beauty in the lack of colour. It’s extremely weird and amusing. For this issue, I also got to interview the wonderful Rabia Kapoor. To be very honest, I have never been someone that appreciated slam poetry. I did, of course, try my hand at it a few years ago. I went to performances, I even performed at a few gigs. But for some moronic reason, I thought I was too strong to let my feelings out, even in poetry. When a friend of mine told me about Rabia’s poetry, I very hesitantly clicked on the link and started watching the video of her performing. Funny thing is, I truly connected with it. I know this solely because A. I didn’t shut my laptop with utter annoyance (I should probably stop doing that, tech

is expensive) and B. I watched a few more of her videos. Dude, it was a game changer. Wrapping it up, this issue is a good one. It’s very… aesthetic based. I hope you enjoy it.

BEFORE YOU TURN THE PAGE! The Open Close is now available in print.

I’d strongly recommend you getting printed copies because man, print is dying. Help save it. I started this magazine two years ago dreaming of the day I’d be able to play a part in the revival of print media. This is not emotional blackmail. :)

One copy of any issue will cost you $7.99, which is Rs. 550.

Until next time, Awkward hug.

Zarah Noorani, Editor in Chief.

(very grainy, super low quality photo of me) (enjoy) (but not too much) (eeeeeeeew that sounds weird)

MUSIC YOUR EARS WILL THANK YOU FOR you already know – bombay bicycle club fighting the sumo – your chin

baaten – ali suhail fog + strobe – blek suede gully – puma patience – tame impala but I’m different now – the jam aafat waapas - naezy dreams from yesterday – mac demarco sunflower – vampire weekend/steve lacy thought. mouth. – fidlar called you twice – fidlar/k.flay $$ kash register $$ - cashmere stage band fuh you – paul mccartney anuva’s sky – blackstratblues scenario – a tribe called quest portrait of a time – peter cat recording co. scrawny – wallows a different age – current joys ikisvi sadi – biryani brothers mere saath – lifafa ek nagma – lifafa

Black and white doesn’t really mean anything to me. It probably doesn’t mean anything to you either. It’s just one of those ideas that you know just… exists. The other day, I was scrolling through instagram and I realised I haven’t posted a photo in colour in over three years. For me, now it’s a habit.

Back then, as a 15/16 year old, I thought I was being crazy cool. However, of course, there could very well be a superduper deep and metaphorical meaning behind me posting photos only in black and white. I have obviously thought about it.

Several times in my very long instagram career. Maybe I think everything should be black and white. Or that there is no colour in life. Or perhaps sophistication is KEY to ultimate happiness. Orrrrr, crazy idea, maybe I just like the way it looks. I’ve always been a plain-jane. I have liked things a certain way. Black and white just did it for me, really.

There’s a funny, odd satisfaction (and happiness even) in the concept of black and white.

Saaz JS

PE RS PE C T I V E A p u rv a Me h ra

Vedant Agarwal

Viraj Ramteke

Pratinava Srivastava

Aaron Rodrigues

Prithvi Singh

ART Devanshu More

Jinkesh Soni

Art by Shiuli Jamuar

THE PERFECT DREAM What’s my perfect dream you ask?

Well that’s a task I dream of being the best of capabilities But I don’t seem to have the fulfilling abilities So I just forget There’s so much more to get But it seems so far fetched I dream that I can smile But yet I feel so senile What’s my perfect dream you ask?

Well that’s a task It’s all Black and white A sky full of flying kites Showing me the heights I can achieve if I fight What’s my perfect dream you ask?

Well that’s a task Do you ever wonder why you fall asleep?

Why are the things you dream not entirely true to you When you aren’t asleep What’s my perfect dream you ask?

Well that’s a task I dream of me in my bubble Nothing about it seems subtle You can pop it with a pin Without giving me a hint What’s my perfect dream you ask?

Well that’s a task

Shiuli Jamuar